Optional Features

The dynamic analysis option permits three-dimensional, fully dynamic analysis with FLAC3D. The calculation is based on the explicit finite difference scheme to solve the full equations of motion, using lumped gridpoint masses derived from the real density of surrounding zones (rather than fictitious masses used for static solution). This formulation can be coupled to the structural element model, thus permitting analysis of soilstructure interaction brought about by ground shaking. The dynamic feature can also be coupled to the groundwater flow model. This allows, for example, analyses involving time-dependent pore pressure change associated with liquefaction. The dynamic model can likewise be coupled to the optional thermal model in order to calculate the combined effect of thermal and dynamic loading. The dynamic option extends FLAC3D's analysis capability to a wide range of dynamic problems in disciplines such as earthquake engineering, seismology and mine rockbursts.

The creep option can be used to simulate the behavior of materials that exhibit creep - i.e., time-dependent material behavior. Eight creep models have been implemented in FLAC3D. These are:

• a classical viscoelastic model;
• a Burger’s substance viscoelastic model;
• a two-component power law;
• a reference creep formulation (the WIPP model) for nuclear-waste isolation studies;
• a Burger-creep viscoplastic model combining the Burger's creep model and the Mohr-Coulomb model;
• a power-law viscoplastic model combining the two-component power law and the Mohr-Coulomb model;
• a WIPP-creep viscoplastic model combining the WIPP model and the Drucker-Prager model; and
• a crushed-salt constitutive model.

The models are presented in order of increasing complexity. The first model is the classical formulation known as the Maxwell substance, and the second is the classical formulation for a Burger’s substance. The third model can be used for mining applications (e.g., salt or potash mining), and the fourth model is commonly used in thermomechanical analyses associated with studies for the underground isolation of nuclear waste in salt. The fifth model expands on the second model and also includes a Mohr-Coulomb component. The sixth model is a variation of the third model and includes a Mohr-Coulomb component. The seventh model is a variation of the fourth model and includes a Drucker-Prager plasticity component. The eighth model is also a variation of the fourth and includes volumetric and deviatoric compaction behavior.

In addition, it is also possible for users to write their own creep constitutive models using the DLL user-defined models option.

The thermal option of FLAC3D incorporates both conduction and advection models. The conduction models allow simulation of transient heat conduction in materials, and the development of thermally induced displacements and stresses. The advection model takes the transport of heat by convection into account; it can simulate temperature-dependent fluid density and thermal advection in the fluid. This thermal option has the following specific features.

• Four thermal material models are available: isotropic conduction, anisotropic conduction, isotropic conduction/advection, and the null thermal model.
• As in the standard version of FLAC3D, different zones may have different models and properties.
• Any of the mechanical models may be used with the thermal model.
• Temperature, flux, convective and adiabatic boundary conditions may be prescribed.
• Heat sources may be inserted into the material as either point sources or volume sources. These sources may decay exponentially with time.
• Both explicit- and implicit-solution algorithms are available.
• The thermal option provides for one-way coupling to the mechanical stress and porepressure calculations through the thermal expansion coefficients.
• Temperatures can be accessed via FISH for users to define temperature-dependent properties.

3DShop is a hexahedral-meshing preprocessor that enables the creation of complex meshes for FLAC3D. 3DShop can substantially reduce model creation time by uncoupling the model building from the meshing process; the model is built via a menu-driven graphical interface, and then meshed using a fully automatic all-hexahedral mesh generator. 3DShop can be used to assist FLAC3D model generation for a wide range of geotechnical problems, including intersecting tunnels and shafts, complex excavation shapes, and irregular geologic stratigraphies and structures. For example, an existing three-dimensional geometry can be read into 3DShop from existing CAD models, or a complex model grid can be created from scratch. Meshes produced by 3DShop are exported in a format that can be read directly into FLAC3D.

3DShop includes a powerful solid modeler that can be used to create or import complex models. In contrast to many solid modelers used in mechanical engineering, 3DShop can handle complex non-manifold surfaces commonplace in geological and civil engineering applications. CAD and GIS data can be read from a variety of geotechnical analysis and mechanical computer-aided engineering tools such as GoCad, Vulcan, Map3D, DataMine, AutoCad, SolidWorks, SolidEdge, ProEngineer and Catia through the STEP, IGES, 3DS (3DStudio), STL, VRML, DXF and DWG (AutoCad) file format.

The 3DShop automatic hexahedral mesh generator produces multi-material meshes with coinciding nodes at material boundaries. It uses fuzzy-logic block decomposition to subdivide a complex shape into its constitutive blocks and mesh each block according to the parameters specified by the user.

Find out more about this new add-on by reading the 3DShop manual [PDF, 560k]. Topics covered in the volume include: the recommended procedure to use 3DShop to build a model for FLAC3D; instructions for getting started using 3DShop; general information and tips on applying 3DShop; and example applications that may be used as a guide for using 3DShop.

User-defined constitutive models can be written in C++ and compiled as DLL (dynamic link library) files to be loaded whenever needed in a FLAC3D simulation. A Visual C++ Version 8.0 compiler is used to compile the DLL files. Source files for all FLAC3D C++ models are provided to users. The same C++ source code may be used to compile the DLLs for use with other Itasca codes. New DLL models can be obtained from the Itasca web site devoted specifically to model development and exchange: http://www.itasca-udm.com.